Following a competitive total of 137 for seven batting first on a challenging pitch, Canada’s bowlers worked together to reduce Ireland to 125 for seven in 20 overs.
Canada fought above its weight to defeat Ireland by 12 runs and earn its first T20 World Cup victory on a much better pitch where hitters were not getting hit on Friday.
When asked to bat first, Canada struggled to drive the tempo until Barbadian-born Nicholas Kirton threw caution to the wind and led the team to a battling 137 for seven.
Kirton blasted away to a 35-ball 49, while wicketkeeper Shreyas Movva chipped in with 37 from 36 deliveries as the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium witnessed 100 runs for the first time in the event.
In reply, Ireland passed the three-figure mark but fell short of Canada’s 138-run total, finishing on 125 for seven. George Dockrell (30 not out) and Mark Adair (34 off 24 balls) rekindled Ireland’s hopes with a brilliant partnership of 62 runs, but they were unable to lead their team through.
Jeremy Gordon (two for 16) and Dillon Heyliger (two for 18) bowled excellently to dismiss their higher-ranked opponent. It is the second time in two days that an associate team has upset a full-member nation, following the United States’ victory over former champion Pakistan. The pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium had received a lot of attention leading up to this game, because to their irregular bounce and prodigious movement in previous tournament matches.
